This week I am playing host to Michael Shusko, author of the new thriller series Tradecraft. Books one and two, of a proposed six part series, are already on the shelves, with book three on schedule for release later in 2017.

Details of the published books are featured during Michael’s intriguing and informative post and you can read the opening lines of both stories by hopping across to my ‘Book Beginnings On Friday‘ pages. Clicking on either book image will take you straight to its Amazon ‘buy’ page.

…

Hi There! my name is MICHAELSHUSKO

Thank you very much for having me on your blog, Yvonne! I’m honored to have the opportunity to write this guest post about the inspiration behind Tradecraft, my new thriller series.

First of all, allow me to tell you a little about myself..

Michael Shusko, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACOEM, is my full title.

I am an author, medical doctor and decorated Marine and Naval officer who has worked on intelligence and medical missions across the globe. Fluent in Arabic, I hold a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from Rutgers University.

Post-undergrad, I transferred from the Marines to the Navy Medical Corps and attended medical school at Wake Forest University, obtaining my medical degree in 2002. I also studied at Harvard University, earning my Master’s of Public Health degree in 2013.

My Middle Eastern experience and language skills coupled with my background in special operations and intelligence keeps me busy deploying around the world. I have travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.

I was awarded the Bronze Star twice for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tradecraft, by definition, is the way things are done in the world of espionage — the skills you use to gather intelligence and extract information from the world around you to gain a solid knowledge and understanding of what’s going on beneath the surface. My Tradecraft series, which will include six titles, follows the intertwining lives of modern day heroes and villains as they try to outwit each other on the international stage. The first two books in the series, Vector and Shifting Sands, are available now, and the third title in the series, Evil Winds, is scheduled to release in the fall of 2017.

…

Within the framework of the main story which plunges the reader into the murky world of terrorism, international intrigue, espionage and clandestine operations, the books also explore social injustices and other contemporary issues occurring in the world. The core of Vector, the first book in the series, is the good and the bad of genetic research and how it can be used or misused depending on whose hands wield its power.

‘VECTOR‘ – Tradecraft: PhaseZero

When researcher Jawad Khattib gasps his last breath on the Massachusetts General Hospital floor, the Department of Homeland Security answers—especially after a preliminary autopsy suggests he died of radiation poisoning. What exactly was Khattib working on? And who was he working for?

DHS Agent Lee Jansen is rushed to Boston and paired with expert toxicologist Dr. Emma Hess to crack the case. All evidence points to the creation of a dirty bomb, but the clues seem too clean, too obvious. During the course of their investigation, they discover the horrible truth.

This new weapon is far more deadly than anyone had expected. It isn’t just capable of killing hundreds—it’s capable of killing hundreds of thousands. Can they stop what’s been set in motion by a madman with a dangerous secret before it’s too late?

…

In Shifting Sands, the second title in the series, I highlight how international struggles can affect individuals and families, and how propaganda released to the population of some nations can demonize the population of another, resulting in deeply instilled prejudices that are very difficult to overcome — even when it’s necessary that two individuals from those respective populations work together to resolve an international crisis.

‘SHIFTINGSANDS‘ – Tradecraft: PhaseOne

Iranian physicist Dr. Sara Qaderi has been leaking intelligence to the UN detailing her deadly work at a nuclear facility in Iran for months—but her time is running out. Colonel Mostafa Sabri is on the hunt for the traitors who have been compromising Iran’s national security. And he always finds his prey.

Since birth, Sara has been taught that Americans aren’t to be trusted. Now her life is in the hands of Nick Shane, an American Marine whose mission is to get her and the vital information she carries to Afghanistan before Israel drops the first bombs of the next world war. He has his own reservations about this Iranian physicist and her motives. But he also has his orders, and will carry out his mission at all costs.

Will they make it in time to save the world from erupting into a violent global conflict—or die in the unforgiving Iranian desert?

…

I am working on Evil Winds, the third title in the series, which will cover the horrific situation in Darfur, Sudan, the atrocities of human trafficking and child soldiers, the nearly impossible hurdles faced by humanitarian relief response teams who arrive on the scene to help — and how big hearts and brave souls can make a difference in the darkest of times.

The books are numbered Phase Zero to Phase Five in reference to the standard phases of a military mission or operation, be it combat, humanitarian or other. Here are those phases explained in the simplest, most bare-boned terms for quick reference:

Phase Zero is the preparation phase, when you can anticipate something foreboding is coming and you put your military and/or humanitarian relief operations in place, ready to move in.

Phase One is the deterrent phase, when you take what you’ve learned in the preparation phase and activate your people on the ground. At this stage, the crisis is just brewing. Combat or full-blown humanitarian operations are not yet initiated, but you may be taking preventative measures to stop the crisis from growing, such as shutting down poultry trade if it becomes apparent that that’s spreading a deadly disease.

Phase Two is the phase in which you seize the initiative and strike at a target of opportunity. In this phase, you are attempting to stop a crisis from exploding by taking quick, decisive action. This might be diplomatic talks to stop combat in its tracks, or a powerful show of force to prevent additional skirmishes from evolving.

Phase Three is when the operation is set in motion. At this stage, you are in a humanitarian crisis or at war.

Phase Four is stability; the battle is over and it’s time to rebuild the infrastructure that was destroyed in the conflict.

Phase Five is enabling civil authorities. This is when the situation is controlled and you hand over operations back to the host government officials.

Not every operation involves conflict nor does each include all phases — in fact most don’t. But my Tradecraft series includes a title representative of each. A revolving cast of characters, good and bad, is interwoven throughout the series. They disappear and reappear in turn — and both have traits and attributes which will surprise readers.

Unbeknownst to most of the characters, their individual stories in each book are a small part of something much larger. As the protagonists move through the six phases of a military operation, just how much is at stake is revealed. Over the course of the series, their tradecraft skills are tested to the penultimate limit — and their roles in resolving the crises become magnified to a greater extent than any of them could have ever imagined.

The one thing I hope people take away from my books is that the world is not nearly as bad as it seems on the news. There are so many differences on the surface between people from other nations and cultures. It’s good to have those differences — there’s a lot of power in having those different cultures — but deep inside I believe people are the same

As author Michael Shusko’s upcoming guest post, to be published on July 5th 2017, relates directly to both books currently published in the series, I have decided to feature the opening lines from both, as a suitable introduction to this most polished and interesting article.

…

‘VECTOR‘ – Tradecraft Phase Zero

How could I have been so stupid? Jawad Khattib thought as he stumbled through the empty parking lot toward the emergency room entrance. It was not the first mistake he had made recently, he realized as he wiped the sweat off his brow. Just a few short days ago his face was plump and full of color. Yet the reflection in the bathroom mirror before he left his apartment was unrecognizable. That chilling image jolted him into fleeing his small Beacon Hill apartment in the middle of the cool Boston night. That, and the blood that had just appeared in his vomit like a death knell. As bad as he felt, he had known it would be faster to walk the few blocks rather than wait for an ambulance. Perhaps the fresh air would make him feel better.

…

‘SHIFTINGSANDS‘ – Tradecraft Phase One

Eastern Iranian Desert

As the heavy military truck drove down the isolated desert road beneath the setting sun, Asghar spoke to his brother from the passenger’s seat. The nervousness in his voice had nothing to do with their mission. “When we get back to Mashhad, will I have time for a shower?”

Vahid couldn’t help but smile. “Put your worries aside, younger brother. You look fine, though we can make time for a shower if you feel it necessary. Aryana will be staying with us for a week, I am sure she will be pleased to see you at whatever time you come by our home.”

Playing matchmaker, Vahid’s wife, Shirin, had invited her nineteen-year-old cousin to visit from Tehran. At Shirin’s request, Vahid had shown a picture of the beautiful Aryana to Asghar, and Asghar had been asking about her nonstop during the long drive to and from the far eastern Iranian province of Khorasan.

…

Clicking on the book’s cover image will link you directly with it’s Amazon listing.

Find out more about both books and author when you visit ‘Mailbox Monday‘

…

WHAT IS ‘BOOK BEGINNINGS’?

Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?

If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?

Thanks to the lovely Lindsay Marshall, Marketing and Media Consultant, for the introduction to this series and its author. I am featuring the first two episodes in this proposed six part series, with Michael stopping by on Wednesday July 5th 2017, to introduce an interesting guest post, in which he will explain in detail why the number of books in the series is so significant. Hope to have you visit then, it will be great to see you!

…

‘THETRADECRAFTSERIES‘

‘VECTOR‘ – Tradecraft: Phase Zero

When researcher Jawad Khattib gasps his last breath on the Massachusetts General Hospital floor, the Department of Homeland Security answers—especially after a preliminary autopsy suggests he died of radiation poisoning. What exactly was Khattib working on? And who was he working for?

DHS Agent Lee Jansen is rushed to Boston and paired with expert toxicologist Dr. Emma Hess to crack the case. All evidence points to the creation of a dirty bomb, but the clues seem too clean, too obvious. During the course of their investigation, they discover the horrible truth.

This new weapon is far more deadly than anyone had expected. It isn’t just capable of killing hundreds—it’s capable of killing hundreds of thousands. Can they stop what’s been set in motion by a madman with a dangerous secret before it’s too late?

…

‘SHIFTINGSANDS‘ – Tradecraft: Phase One

Iranian physicist Dr. Sara Qaderi has been leaking intelligence to the UN detailing her deadly work at a nuclear facility in Iran for months—but her time is running out. Colonel Mostafa Sabri is on the hunt for the traitors who have been compromising Iran’s national security. And he always finds his prey.

Since birth, Sara has been taught that Americans aren’t to be trusted. Now her life is in the hands of Nick Shane, an American Marine whose mission is to get her and the vital information she carries to Afghanistan before Israel drops the first bombs of the next world war. He has his own reservations about this Iranian physicist and her motives. But he also has his orders, and will carry out his mission at all costs.

Will they make it in time to save the world from erupting into a violent global conflict—or die in the unforgiving Iranian desert?

Clicking on the book’s cover image will link you directly with it’s Amazon listing.

…

MICHAEL SHUSKO

Michael Shusko, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACOEM, is an author, medical doctor and decorated Marine and Naval officer who has worked on intelligence and medical missions across the globe. Fluent in Arabic, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from Rutgers University. Post-undergrad, Dr. Shusko transferred from the Marines to the Navy Medical Corps and attended medical school at Wake Forest University, obtaining his medical degree in 2002. He also studied at Harvard University, earning his Master’s of Public Health degree in 2013.

Dr. Shusko’s Middle Eastern experience and language skills coupled with his background in special operations and intelligence keep him busy deploying around the world. He has travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. Dr. Shusko has been awarded the Bronze Star twice for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He currently lives in Japan with his wife and 17-year-old triplet sons.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week. Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home, where links may be added each week. So why not stop by, leave a link to your own Mailbox Monday post, oh! and don’t forget to leave a comment for our three new joint administrators, after all, we all like to receive them … Your Hosts for ‘Mailbox Monday’

First Lines

Prologue Mom always said too much chocolate is like having too much love – you can’t get enough. I couldn’t agree more. Our favourite time together was baking chocolate cupcakes in a messy kitchen, surrounded by bowls, measuring cups and lots and lots of chocolate syrup. Chocolate was never just a treat or a reward; […]

Random Quote

I love telling stories for a living. The process of writing has its frustrations, but also its joys (there’s no high like typing “The End.”) The research is incredible. I love meeting other authors. I love working on something that’s purely mine. But the best part is the idea that I kept somebody up past their bedtime, or made them miss their train stop. As a lifelong addict of story, it makes me happy to think that my work might hit other people the way books hit me.